SAP Project Manager

Role: SAP Project Manager

Location: Chicago, IL

Type of Employment: Contract

Summary: Part of a newly established center-lead strategy, we are on a multi-year strategy to globalize our processes, tools and ways of working across all Procurement services. To support and lead these activities, we are seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Project Manager to join a large matrixed project team responsible for enabling the re-organization of localized, repetitive, administrative tasks toward a smart, technology-enabled global structure.

This role will be part of a critical team tasked with leading and executing transformational initiatives as the forerunner to Global Procurement s digital transformation to SAP Guided Buying and SAP 4Hana in 2026. The ideal candidate will come formed from expertise in enterprise project and change management, process optimization, end-user training and adoption with maturity and sensitivity to navigating organizational change.

We are seeking a project leader characterized by drive, passion, and robust curiosity an individual skilled in steering complex business changes through structured project management who can simultaneously juggle stakeholder needs and competing priorities to ensure a seamless implementation aligned with a pre-defined template process.

Project Management:

• Lead the end-to-end deployment of a pre-defined organization change blueprint across 19 major markets and 20+ small/med countries ensuring alignment with global template processes and organizational goals.
• Collaborate with internal and external cross-functional teams to manage project timelines, risks, and deliverables.

Change Management:

• Work closely with the designated Change Management team to drive change and communication initiatives to ensure stakeholder buy-in and adoption of new processes.
• Serve as the on-site advocate for change, addressing concerns and ensuring clear communication across all levels of the organization.
• Work closely with the global Change Champions to ensure proactive engagement and advance information sharing to mitigate surprises or resourcing challenges during UAT or time-sensitive knowledge clinics.

Training and Support:

• Work closely with the designated Training Lead to develop and deliver comprehensive, multi-modal training programs for key users and end-users.
• Support in the creation of content for training materials and ensure knowledge transfer to sustain long-term solution adoption.

Process Alignment:

• Ensure that all program activities adhere to pre-defined global template processes.
• Work closely with process owners to identify and address any gaps or deviations from the standard templates.

Communication and Engagement:

• Act as the primary point of contact for deployment-related updates, providing regular progress reports to stakeholders.
• Effectively communicate the benefits and impacts of the transformation initiatives to drive alignment and enthusiasm.

Tools and Technology:

Experience and deep knowledge of enterprise project management methodologies and procurement tools including:

• PMI and/or PROSCI project and changement management standards
• Enterprise resource management: SAP Ariba/SAP P2P is a must, SAP 4Hana is a plus
• Purchase to pay frameworks/ tools/understanding is a plus
• Project Management tooling: Jira, Smartsheets, MS Project

Digitalization Projects:

• Actively support the Transformation Director in delivering against the Elevate goals;
• Proactively contribute to projects and working groups to drive process efficiency through the promotion of appropriate digital tools.

Policy and Process Alignment:

• Ensure familiarity with global financial policy controls and processes;
• Proactively partner with regional shared service centers (SSCs) to standardize P2P processes, creating a more effective and efficient shared service model;
• Strive for synergies among SSC teams' targets and address emerging needs through the establishment of regular mechanisms; and
• Work closely with designated global Business Process Owners (BPOs) to identify and address any gaps or deviations from the global processes.

Communication and Engagement:

• Act as the primary point of contact for Stakeholders on project updates, progress reports and people matters;
• Provide timely support, updates and consultation to the Director, Procurement Transformation to help drive project alignment, change management and enthusiasm on transformation initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor s degree in Business, Supply Chain, IT, or a related field;
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in procurement or commercial transformation, system implementation, or similar enterprise roles.
• Hands-on experience working with shared services transformations (with recharge models), SAP solutions, P2P process frameworks and similar;
• Experience of developing, migrating, or realigning a procurement or commercial functions;
• Strong expertise in change management, including tools and methodologies;
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, influencing and training skills;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, global environment with diverse teams;
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving.
• Process-oriented with high attention to detail.
• Strong leadership and project management skills.
• Proficiency in developing user-focused training and communication strategies.